Disclaimer

  • References: Nigeria Centre for Disease control (NCDC), see here:

Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention
  • More information: for a dynamic report of the 🇳🇬 Lassa fever situation in Nigeria , go to 🔗

Lassa fever in Nigeria - data from 2020 to 2024

The overall burden of Lassa fever in Nigeria

  • Nigeria has the highest burden of Lassa fever cases in West Africa.
  • Strengthening of capacity for lab diagnostics and case management in previous years resulted in greater case detection.
  • Major LF outbreaks reported in since 2018, with 5344 confirmed cases since 2020.

The effect of seasonality on the Lassa fever incidence

  • Lassa fever cases in Nigeria by week show a seasonal effect: the number of cases peaks during the dry season period (from epi week 47 - week 12).
  • The seasonal increase of cases during the dry period may be attributed to an increase of the infected rodent population and/or a seasonal behavioural change in the human population resulting in a higher risk of exposure to infected animals and/or to food/household items contaminated with rodent excreta.

  • Lassa fever cases in Nigeria by week show a seasonal effect: the number of cases peaks during the dry season period (from epi week 47 - week 12).
  • The seasonal increase of cases during the dry period may be attributed to an increase of the infected rodent population and/or a seasonal behavioural change in the human population resulting in a higher risk of exposure to infected animals and/or to food/household items contaminated with rodent excreta.

Lassa fever in Nigeria: where do efforts need to focus?

From January 2018 to December 2024, 75% of Lassa fever confirmed cases were from Ondo (33%), Edo (31%) and Bauchi (11%).

  • Total suspected cases: 40,909
  • Total confirmed cases: 6,061
  • Deaths from Confirmed Cases: 1,114
  • Case Fatality Ratio: 21%
  • Number of Health Care Workers: 234

Lassa fever suspected cases, confirmed cases and CFR by State, Nigeria 2020-2024

Lassa fever by State, Nigeria 2020-2024: Interactive maps

Suspected cases of Lassa fever

  • From 2017-2024, a total of 36,022 suspected cases were reported from 26 in Zamfara to 13,950 in Edo.

Case fatality rate (CFR) among confirmed Lassa fever cases

  • From 2017-2024, CFR among all lab confirmed cases in Nigeria was between 16-27% and decreased over time.
  • In 2024, overall CFR for Nigeria was 16% and differed greatly by individual State.
  • The variation in CFR is likely due to late patient presentation and differences in case management, highlighting the need for improvement.

Lassa fever infections among healthcare workers

  • From 2020-2024, a total of 212 healthcare workers (HCW) were reported among confirmed cases, that is 4% of Lassa fever cases.
  • From 2020-2024, 60% of all HCW infections were from Ondo (26%), Bauchi (20%), Edo (15%) States where 75% of all Lassa fever patients were being cared for. 12% of HCW infections are reported from Ebonyi where 6% of Lassa fever patients were being cared for.
  • Higher proportion of HCW in States with low incidence (10-30%).

Lassa fever in 2025 - Data from epi-week 1 to epi-week 18

Suspected cases of Lassa fever in 2025

  • In 2025, a total of 4,887 suspected cases were reported from 1 in Jigawa, Osun to 1,543 in Ondo.

Cumulative number of confirmed Lassa fever cases in 2025

  • Nigeria has the highest burden of Lassa fever cases in West Africa.
  • Strengthening of capacity for lab diagnostics and case management in previous years resulted in greater case detection.
  • Major LF outbreaks reported in since 2018, with 5344 confirmed cases since 2020.

Seasonality of Lassa fever

  • In 2025, similar trend as per previous years confirming a seasonal effect on Lassa fever incidence.
  • Compared to 2024, 20% decrease in the cumulative number of suspected cases reported.

  • In 2025, similar trend as per previous years confirming a seasonal effect on Lassa fever incidence.
  • Compared to 2024, 17% decrease in the cumulative number of confirmed cases reported.

States reporting Lassa fever confirmed cases in 2025

  • In 2025, as of epi week 18, 87% of LF cases are from Ondo (30%), Bauchi (25%), Edo (16%), and Taraba (16%) States.

  • Total confirmed cases: 717

  • Deaths from Confirmed Cases: 138

  • Case Fatality Ratio: 19%

  • Number of Health Care Workers: 22

Lassa fever suspected cases, confirmed cases and CFR by State in 2025

Lassa fever by State, Nigeria 2025: Interactive maps

Case fatality ratio among confirmed Lassa fever cases by State in 2025

  • As of epi week 18 2025, cumulatively 717 cases and 138 deaths (CFR=19%) across 18 States have been reported.
  • At same period 2024, a total of 28 States reported at least one confirmed cases.
  • There is a 20% decrease in the number of suspected cases reported in 2025 compared to 2024.
  • There is a 17% decrease in the number of confirmed cases reported in 2025 compared to 2024.
  • In 2024,
    • 37 States had reported at least one suspected case versus 34 States in 2025 to date.
    • 28 States had reported at least one confirmed case versus 18 States in 2025 to date.

Health care worker infections 2020-2025 epiweek 18


  • Top 5 states:
    • 8 HCW infections in Ondo
    • 4 HCW infections in Bauchi
    • 3 HCW infections in Taraba
    • 2 HCW infections in Edo
    • 2 HCW infections in Gombe.

  • As of epi week 18 of 2025, there has been 22 healthcare workers infected, that is 3% of confirmed cases.

Lassa fever in most affected States - Data from 2020 to 2025 (as of epi-week 18)

Lassa fever in Ondo State, 2020-2025

  • Below is an overview of Lassa fever suspected cases, confirmed cases, deaths and average CFR in Ondo as of week 18:
Years Suspected cases Confirmed cases Deaths CFR
2025 1543 215 27 13%
2024 1290 211 14 7%
2023 1392 301 32 11%
2022 745 215 38 18%
2021 339 79 22 28%
2020 582 320 45 14%

Source: NCDC

  • See other tabs for yearly data




  • In 2025 only, Ondo State reported 215 confirmed cases including 27 deaths (CFR 13%).
  • Compared to same period 2024, this represents:
    • 20% increase in the number of suspected cases.
    • 2% increase in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 89% increase in CFR.




  • In 2024 as of week 18:
    • 1290 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 211 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 14 in the number of deaths.
    • 7% average CFR.




  • In 2023 as of week 18:
    • 1392 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 301 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 32 in the number of deaths.
    • 11% average CFR.




  • In 2022 as of week 18:
    • 745 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 215 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 38 in the number of deaths.
    • 18% average CFR.




  • In 2021 as of week 18:
    • 339 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 79 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 22 in the number of deaths.
    • 28% average CFR.




  • In 2020 as of week 18:
    • 582 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 320 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 45 in the number of deaths.
    • 14% average CFR.

Lassa fever in Bauchi State, 2020-2025

  • Below is an overview of Lassa fever suspected cases, confirmed cases, deaths and average CFR in Bauchi as of week 18:
Years Suspected cases Confirmed cases Deaths CFR
2025 815 180 15 8%
2024 763 152 28 18%
2023 685 105 19 18%
2022 649 115 12 10%
2021 55 10 2 20%
2020 274 43 19 44%

Source: NCDC

  • See other tabs for yearly data




  • In 2025 only, Bauchi State reported 180 confirmed cases including 15 deaths (CFR 8%).
  • Compared to same period 2024, this represents:
    • 7% increase in the number of suspected cases.
    • 18% increase in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 55% decrease in CFR.




  • In 2024 as of week 18:
    • 763 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 152 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 28 in the number of deaths.
    • 18% average CFR.




  • In 2023 as of week 18:
    • 685 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 105 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 19 in the number of deaths.
    • 18% average CFR.




  • In 2022 as of week 18:
    • 649 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 115 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 12 in the number of deaths.
    • 10% average CFR.




  • In 2021 as of week 18:
    • 55 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 10 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 2 in the number of deaths.
    • 20% average CFR.




  • In 2020 as of week 18:
    • 274 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 43 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 19 in the number of deaths.
    • 44% average CFR.

Lassa fever in Edo State, 2020-2025

  • Below is an overview of Lassa fever suspected cases, confirmed cases, deaths and average CFR in Edo as of week 18:
Years Suspected cases Confirmed cases Deaths CFR
2025 1400 114 19 17%
2024 1520 189 24 13%
2023 1883 266 33 12%
2022 1407 187 27 14%
2021 1052 116 14 12%
2020 1216 321 39 12%

Source: NCDC

  • See other tabs for yearly data




  • In 2025 only, Edo State reported 114 confirmed cases including 19 deaths (CFR 17%).
  • Compared to same period 2024, this represents:
    • 8% decrease in the number of suspected cases.
    • 40% decrease in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 31% increase in CFR.




  • In 2024 as of week 18:
    • 1520 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 189 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 24 in the number of deaths.
    • 13% average CFR.




  • In 2023 as of week 18:
    • 1883 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 266 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 33 in the number of deaths.
    • 12% average CFR.




  • In 2022 as of week 18:
    • 1407 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 187 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 27 in the number of deaths.
    • 14% average CFR.




  • In 2021 as of week 18:
    • 1052 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 116 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 14 in the number of deaths.
    • 12% average CFR.




  • In 2020 as of week 18:
    • 1216 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 321 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 39 in the number of deaths.
    • 12% average CFR.

Lassa fever in Taraba State, 2020-2025

  • Below is an overview of Lassa fever suspected cases, confirmed cases, deaths and average CFR in Taraba as of week 18:
Years Suspected cases Confirmed cases Deaths CFR
2025 313 116 34 29%
2024 223 99 21 21%
2023 257 88 29 33%
2022 80 31 14 45%
2021 53 18 11 61%
2020 106 56 21 38%

Source: NCDC

  • See other tabs for yearly data




  • In 2025 only, Taraba State reported 116 confirmed cases including 34 deaths (CFR 29%).
  • Compared to same period 2024, this represents:
    • 40% increase in the number of suspected cases.
    • 17% increase in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 38% increase in CFR.




  • In 2024 as of week 18:
    • 223 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 99 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 21 in the number of deaths.
    • 21% average CFR.




  • In 2023 as of week 18:
    • 257 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 88 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 29 in the number of deaths.
    • 33% average CFR.




  • In 2022 as of week 18:
    • 80 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 31 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 14 in the number of deaths.
    • 45% average CFR.




  • In 2021 as of week 18:
    • 53 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 18 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 11 in the number of deaths.
    • 61% average CFR.




  • In 2020 as of week 18:
    • 106 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 56 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 21 in the number of deaths.
    • 38% average CFR.

Lassa fever in Ebonyi State, 2020-2025

  • Below is an overview of Lassa fever suspected cases, confirmed cases, deaths and average CFR in Ebonyi as of week 18:
Years Suspected cases Confirmed cases Deaths CFR
2025 232 21 11 52%
2024 255 43 24 56%
2023 202 50 28 56%
2022 209 39 18 46%
2021 86 17 8 47%
2020 199 73 21 29%

Source: NCDC

  • See other tabs for yearly data




  • In 2025 only, Ebonyi State reported 21 confirmed cases including 11 deaths (CFR 52%).
  • Compared to same period 2024, this represents:
    • 9% decrease in the number of suspected cases.
    • 51% decrease in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 6% decrease in CFR.




  • In 2024 as of week 18:
    • 255 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 43 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 24 in the number of deaths.
    • 56% average CFR.




  • In 2023 as of week 18:
    • 202 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 50 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 28 in the number of deaths.
    • 56% average CFR.




  • In 2022 as of week 18:
    • 209 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 39 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 18 in the number of deaths.
    • 46% average CFR.




  • In 2021 as of week 18:
    • 86 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 17 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 8 in the number of deaths.
    • 47% average CFR.




  • In 2020 as of week 18:
    • 199 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 73 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 21 in the number of deaths.
    • 29% average CFR.

Lassa fever in Kogi State, 2020-2025

  • Below is an overview of Lassa fever suspected cases, confirmed cases, deaths and average CFR in Kogi as of week 18:
Years Suspected cases Confirmed cases Deaths CFR
2025 66 15 4 27%
2024 115 29 3 10%
2023 39 11 1 9%
2022 111 43 7 16%
2021 7 2 0 0%
2020 88 37 8 22%

Source: NCDC

  • See other tabs for yearly data




  • In 2025 only, Kogi State reported 15 confirmed cases including 4 deaths (CFR 27%).
  • Compared to same period 2024, this represents:
    • 43% decrease in the number of suspected cases.
    • 48% decrease in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 158% increase in CFR.




  • In 2024 as of week 18:
    • 115 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 29 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 3 in the number of deaths.
    • 10% average CFR.




  • In 2023 as of week 18:
    • 39 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 11 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 1 in the number of deaths.
    • 9% average CFR.




  • In 2022 as of week 18:
    • 111 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 43 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 7 in the number of deaths.
    • 16% average CFR.




  • In 2021 as of week 18:
    • 7 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 2 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 0 in the number of deaths.
    • 0% average CFR.




  • In 2020 as of week 18:
    • 88 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 37 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 8 in the number of deaths.
    • 22% average CFR.

Lassa fever in Gombe State, 2020-2025

  • Below is an overview of Lassa fever suspected cases, confirmed cases, deaths and average CFR in Gombe as of week 18:
Years Suspected cases Confirmed cases Deaths CFR
2025 69 14 7 50%
2024 28 4 2 50%
2023 34 7 1 14%
2022 186 20 8 40%
2021 5 0 0
2020 33 9 2 22%

Source: NCDC

  • See other tabs for yearly data




  • In 2025 only, Gombe State reported 14 confirmed cases including 7 deaths (CFR 50%).
  • Compared to same period 2024, this represents:
    • 146% increase in the number of suspected cases.
    • 250% increase in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 0% decrease in CFR.




  • In 2024 as of week 18:
    • 28 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 4 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 2 in the number of deaths.
    • 50% average CFR.




  • In 2023 as of week 18:
    • 34 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 7 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 1 in the number of deaths.
    • 14% average CFR.




  • In 2022 as of week 18:
    • 186 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 20 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 8 in the number of deaths.
    • 40% average CFR.




  • In 2021 as of week 18:
    • 5 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 0 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 0 in the number of deaths.
    • NA average CFR.




  • In 2020 as of week 18:
    • 33 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 9 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 2 in the number of deaths.
    • 22% average CFR.

Lassa fever in Benue State, 2020-2025

  • Below is an overview of Lassa fever suspected cases, confirmed cases, deaths and average CFR in Benue as of week 18:
Years Suspected cases Confirmed cases Deaths CFR
2025 69 10 5 50%
2024 1041 62 11 18%
2023 143 36 3 8%
2022 193 32 8 25%
2021 18 6 0 0%
2020 30 8 3 38%

Source: NCDC

  • See other tabs for yearly data




  • In 2025 only, Benue State reported 10 confirmed cases including 5 deaths (CFR 50%).
  • Compared to same period 2024, this represents:
    • 93% decrease in the number of suspected cases.
    • 84% decrease in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 182% increase in CFR.




  • In 2024 as of week 18:
    • 1041 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 62 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 11 in the number of deaths.
    • 18% average CFR.




  • In 2023 as of week 18:
    • 143 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 36 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 3 in the number of deaths.
    • 8% average CFR.




  • In 2022 as of week 18:
    • 193 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 32 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 8 in the number of deaths.
    • 25% average CFR.




  • In 2021 as of week 18:
    • 18 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 6 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 0 in the number of deaths.
    • 0% average CFR.




  • In 2020 as of week 18:
    • 30 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 8 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 3 in the number of deaths.
    • 38% average CFR.

Thank you

Any questions or suggestions? Contact us: Anaïs Legand and Antoine Chaillon